Adobe realizes you might want to read eBooks on multiple devices

Ever download an eBook on your work computer only to realize that you can't read it on your PDA or even your PC at home? Thank DRM. But it looks like some relief is on the way, at least if you can blame Adobe for your DRM restrictions.

In what we assume is a response to complaints from everyone who has ever tried downloading a DRM restricted eBook, Adobe has finallyannounced that the next version of its Digital Editions eBook reader will make it easier to transfer copy protected documents from one machine to another.

Right now, Digital Editions and Acrobat use an "easy activation" scheme, which basically just lets you read a document on the machine you initially used to download it. Digital Editions 1.5 will use "named activation," which means you can read documents on any machine as long as you're running the proper software with your Adobe ID.

Digital Editions 1.5 will even examine your existing library and convert eBooks you've previously downloaded from easy to named activation, freeing you up to take your eBooks on the go. You'll only be able to convert the activation types on the same machine you used to download the document, so if you were planning on buying a new computer, Adobe recommends hanging onto your old PC until Digital Editions 1.5 comes out. Whenever that is.

[via MobileRead]

Tags: adobe, digital-editions, drm, eBook, eBooks, pdf